Editor’s note: Nigerians are optimistic about the eighth National
Assembly, the Senate and Bukola Saraki, the Senate president. Adelaja Adeoye, a blogger and the PDP supporter,
talks about Saraki’s achievements as the lawmaker, and lists the possible
Senate agenda for the year 2016.
Bukola Saraki, the Senate president
Political environment is synonymous
with sweet promises most of which are not achievable. This discrepancy leads to
loss of trust in leadership. Such pattern is common in our clime.
However, the current Senate president, Dr. Bukola Saraki, is
an exception, one of the steadfast persons
that keep to their promises. His emergence as the Senate president made him chairman of the National Assembly, a position that is strategic and core in rebuilding the legislative arm of government to let people have the feel of true and genuine representation.
that keep to their promises. His emergence as the Senate president made him chairman of the National Assembly, a position that is strategic and core in rebuilding the legislative arm of government to let people have the feel of true and genuine representation.
It’s on record that, since his
emergence as the Senate president, and in keeping to terms with the public
mandate that produced him, he made it a point of duty to post weekly activities
on the upper legislative chamber. This feat is in keeping to terms with
principle of running an open administration as the Senate of the people to
enable input from members of the society and to show his commitment
to transparency and public accountability.
The
8th legislative agenda of the Senate in perspective
The emergence of Senator Bukola
Saraki as the Senate president of the 8th assembly, despite internal party
contradictions, is enough to be made a special case. While the tide and zoning
was against him, one wonders how he still survived the odds. His input as a
senator of the federal republic while he served his first term, and also his
critical engagement of the public, paved way for him, and he beats “them” to
it.
Some of the people-oriented bills
traceable to him during the 7th Assembly are:
— the National Oil Spill Detection
and Response Agency Amendement Bill, 2012, which focuses on oil spilling in
Niger Delta;
— the Gas Flaring Prohibition Bill,
2012, which focuses on generating more income from gas insetead of wasting
it;
— the Climate Change Commission
Bill, 2013, developed from his experience as a medical doctor
who understood the implications of ozone depletion, radiation and
environmental pollution. He helped sponsor this bill to establish a
commission to legislate, advocate and deals on climate change issues in Nigeria;
— the motion on fuel subsidy as
a conduit pipe for diverting Nigeria’s money.
The
Senate committees
The hurdles he crossed to emerge
prepared him for settin a proactive people-oriented legislative agenda,
starting with composition of the Senate committees.
A critical assesement of composition
of the 8th upper chamber committees places professionalism, experience, ranking
and past antecedents on who chaired what committee and who gets what to ensure
required productivity. The selection committee of the senate was thorough.
And within the last six months, the
oversight and committee work so far has reposed back the confidence of both the
political society and civil society members that indeed we have a Senate to
work with.
The landmark output that passed
through the Senate within the last six months, despite the distractions and
fifth columnists, includes but is not limited to approval of medium-term
expenditure framework and supplementary budget.
The 8th Assembly, led by Senator
Bukola Saraki (the Turaki of Ilorin) approved the MTEF which is to form basis
for spending of government. The unprecedented conscious and speedy
approval of the MTEF forms basis for passage of supplementary budget. It also
emphasize need to implement the fiscal responsibility act which ensures that
all ministries and agencies of the government should submit their expenditure
and should be captured in the budget proposal. The Senate president in his
wisdom and in fulfillment of his legislative agenda also suggested the need to
include expected spayment for October-December to round up 2015 subsidy issue
at once in the supplementary budget.
What
Nigerians should expect in 2016 from the leadership of the Senate
Infrastructural development: the Senate president, having built his 8th legislative
agenda around people, has promised Mr President Muhamnadu Buhari that
this National Assembly will pass a Budget “that will de-emphasis recurrent
expenditure and priotize the upgrade of infrastructure in order to achieve
economic recovery and generate employment for our teeming population”. This we
can see in the budget proposal submitted and the welcome speech made by Senate
President. This will be possible based on the pre MTEF already approved by the
senate under his leadership.
Adherence to rules of law and
practice of constitutional democracy: He
has reiterated this several times of the need to adhere to rule of law and
constitutional principles which will further guide and save our democratic
process. Adherence to this principe will make the arm of government more
responsive and their constitutional roles will be easily carried out which
include but not limited to Lawmaking, Legislating and oversight along with
budgeting which is core and shows how responsive a government can be.
Legislation that will
rebuild confidence of investors: The
8th Assembly built around the PEOPLE have vowed to legislate in all sectors of
our economy to provide a Budget and other legislations that ” must also be bold
and pragmatic in providing transparent incentives and conducive Environment
that will promote private sector led development, encourage local production
and promote made-in Nigeria goods”. Either by Tax exemption or waiver on
importation of manufacturing tools and machines or by making more money
available to Bank of Industry or Commercial Banks with very low charges. This
we will need to be on the look out for as once done private investors will be
encouraged to invest and by that provide job for teeming masses.
Constant amendment and
reviewing of administrative bottleneck from laws to ensure development and
sector growth: The Saraki led senate has
promised Nigerian that 2016 is to settle down for econonic growth and
developnents and all the impending laws causing asministrative bottle necks
will be amended.- The Senate President said “we recognise that a Harmonious
National Assembly is essential not only on legislative progress but also for
the Executives to function effectively” And this could only be achieve with
good legislations.
Business sector growth and
investor-driven economy: Both the
Senate and House of Representatives understood the need for industrial growth
to directly create employments to our graduates and unemployed youths and earn
more incomes from taxes and royalties. To this they have collectively marshal out
plans for ” passage of laws that will further enhances our business environment
and promotes accountability in governancy.
Create opportunities for
economic diversification: Sen
Bukola Saraki as a private sector trained business man understood the need to
diversify our economy to a non oil revenue driven economy and has promised the
PEOPLE of Nigeria laws that will support non oil earnings to build
infrastructures and make life better. The budget presentation and frame work
further collaborate this as the economy will be diversify this time unlike what
it’s obtainable. And in doing this, implementation of fiscal responsibility act
will be adhered to at same time ensure that oversight is taking serious to
ensure full implementation of the appropriated budget.
Conclusion
The Ilorin-born politician, the
chairman of the National Assembly, promised Nigerians transformational economic
policies in 2016. Many of those who know him will agree that if he could put
all mechanisms for effective budget implementation and performance as the
special assistant on budget in 2001, then he can do better now as the Senate
president. This he will do regardless of distractions. His commitment to
national development and peace cannot be overemphasized. In doing this, all
stakeholders must be on the same page to give required support for the Senate
under the leadership of Bukola Saraki and at same time ensure that distractors
are put on check to ensure required delivery.
Author, Adelaja Adeoye
Adelaja Adeoye is a PDP member and social
media advocate
Editor’s note: Nigerians are optimistic about the eighth National
Assembly, the Senate and Bukola Saraki, the Senate president. Adelaja Adeoye, a blogger and the PDP supporter,
talks about Saraki’s achievements as the lawmaker, and lists the possible
Senate agenda for the year 2016.
Bukola Saraki, the Senate president
Political environment is synonymous
with sweet promises most of which are not achievable. This discrepancy leads to
loss of trust in leadership. Such pattern is common in our clime.
However, the current Senate president, Dr. Bukola Saraki, is
an exception, one of the steadfast persons that keep to their promises.
His emergence as the Senate president made him chairman of the National
Assembly, a position that is strategic and core in rebuilding the legislative
arm of government to let people have the feel of true and genuine
representation.
It’s on record that, since his
emergence as the Senate president, and in keeping to terms with the public
mandate that produced him, he made it a point of duty to post weekly activities
on the upper legislative chamber. This feat is in keeping to terms with
principle of running an open administration as the Senate of the people to
enable input from members of the society and to show his commitment
to transparency and public accountability.
The
8th legislative agenda of the Senate in perspective
The emergence of Senator Bukola
Saraki as the Senate president of the 8th assembly, despite internal party
contradictions, is enough to be made a special case. While the tide and zoning
was against him, one wonders how he still survived the odds. His input as a
senator of the federal republic while he served his first term, and also his
critical engagement of the public, paved way for him, and he beats “them” to
it.
Some of the people-oriented bills
traceable to him during the 7th Assembly are:
— the National Oil Spill Detection
and Response Agency Amendement Bill, 2012, which focuses on oil spilling in
Niger Delta;
— the Gas Flaring Prohibition Bill,
2012, which focuses on generating more income from gas insetead of wasting
it;
— the Climate Change Commission
Bill, 2013, developed from his experience as a medical doctor
who understood the implications of ozone depletion, radiation and
environmental pollution. He helped sponsor this bill to establish a
commission to legislate, advocate and deals on climate change issues in Nigeria;
— the motion on fuel subsidy as
a conduit pipe for diverting Nigeria’s money.
The
Senate committees
The hurdles he crossed to emerge
prepared him for settin a proactive people-oriented legislative agenda,
starting with composition of the Senate committees.
A critical assesement of composition
of the 8th upper chamber committees places professionalism, experience, ranking
and past antecedents on who chaired what committee and who gets what to ensure
required productivity. The selection committee of the senate was thorough.
And within the last six months, the
oversight and committee work so far has reposed back the confidence of both the
political society and civil society members that indeed we have a Senate to
work with.
The landmark output that passed
through the Senate within the last six months, despite the distractions and
fifth columnists, includes but is not limited to approval of medium-term
expenditure framework and supplementary budget.
The 8th Assembly, led by Senator
Bukola Saraki (the Turaki of Ilorin) approved the MTEF which is to form basis
for spending of government. The unprecedented conscious and speedy
approval of the MTEF forms basis for passage of supplementary budget. It also
emphasize need to implement the fiscal responsibility act which ensures that
all ministries and agencies of the government should submit their expenditure
and should be captured in the budget proposal. The Senate president in his
wisdom and in fulfillment of his legislative agenda also suggested the need to
include expected spayment for October-December to round up 2015 subsidy issue
at once in the supplementary budget.
What
Nigerians should expect in 2016 from the leadership of the Senate
Infrastructural development: the Senate president, having built his 8th legislative
agenda around people, has promised Mr President Muhamnadu Buhari that
this National Assembly will pass a Budget “that will de-emphasis recurrent
expenditure and priotize the upgrade of infrastructure in order to achieve
economic recovery and generate employment for our teeming population”. This we
can see in the budget proposal submitted and the welcome speech made by Senate
President. This will be possible based on the pre MTEF already approved by the
senate under his leadership.
Adherence to rules of law and
practice of constitutional democracy: He
has reiterated this several times of the need to adhere to rule of law and
constitutional principles which will further guide and save our democratic
process. Adherence to this principe will make the arm of government more
responsive and their constitutional roles will be easily carried out which
include but not limited to Lawmaking, Legislating and oversight along with
budgeting which is core and shows how responsive a government can be.
Legislation that will
rebuild confidence of investors: The
8th Assembly built around the PEOPLE have vowed to legislate in all sectors of
our economy to provide a Budget and other legislations that ” must also be bold
and pragmatic in providing transparent incentives and conducive Environment
that will promote private sector led development, encourage local production
and promote made-in Nigeria goods”. Either by Tax exemption or waiver on
importation of manufacturing tools and machines or by making more money
available to Bank of Industry or Commercial Banks with very low charges. This
we will need to be on the look out for as once done private investors will be
encouraged to invest and by that provide job for teeming masses.
Constant amendment and
reviewing of administrative bottleneck from laws to ensure development and
sector growth: The Saraki led senate has
promised Nigerian that 2016 is to settle down for econonic growth and
developnents and all the impending laws causing asministrative bottle necks
will be amended.- The Senate President said “we recognise that a Harmonious
National Assembly is essential not only on legislative progress but also for
the Executives to function effectively” And this could only be achieve with
good legislations.
Business sector growth and
investor-driven economy: Both the
Senate and House of Representatives understood the need for industrial growth
to directly create employments to our graduates and unemployed youths and earn
more incomes from taxes and royalties. To this they have collectively marshal out
plans for ” passage of laws that will further enhances our business environment
and promotes accountability in governancy.
Create opportunities for
economic diversification: Sen
Bukola Saraki as a private sector trained business man understood the need to
diversify our economy to a non oil revenue driven economy and has promised the
PEOPLE of Nigeria laws that will support non oil earnings to build
infrastructures and make life better. The budget presentation and frame work
further collaborate this as the economy will be diversify this time unlike what
it’s obtainable. And in doing this, implementation of fiscal responsibility act
will be adhered to at same time ensure that oversight is taking serious to
ensure full implementation of the appropriated budget.
Conclusion
The Ilorin-born politician, the
chairman of the National Assembly, promised Nigerians transformational economic
policies in 2016. Many of those who know him will agree that if he could put
all mechanisms for effective budget implementation and performance as the
special assistant on budget in 2001, then he can do better now as the Senate
president. This he will do regardless of distractions. His commitment to
national development and peace cannot be overemphasized. In doing this, all
stakeholders must be on the same page to give required support for the Senate
under the leadership of Bukola Saraki and at same time ensure that distractors
are put on check to ensure required delivery.
Author, Adelaja AdeoyeAdelaja Adeoye is a PDP member and social
media advocate
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